Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Suarez.
Hi Sonia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started in Spain, where I was born and raised in a household that lived and breathed wellness. My dad was deeply into fitness, and growing up, I watched him move with discipline and purpose. He saw the athlete in me from a young age—even when I didn’t. But I was stubborn. I resisted structure and bounced between sports, never really connecting with any of them… unless you count roller skating, dirt bikes, and windsurfing as training for life.
Everything changed when I moved to the U.S. at 18. I joined my college’s soccer team, and for the first time, I began to understand what it meant to move with intention—not to be skinny, but to be strong. Around that same time, I stepped into the world of fashion and commercial modeling. While it gave me confidence and opened doors, it also introduced me to the darker side of body image, pressure, and self-comparison.
Even as I worked with top brands, I silently battled feelings of not being enough. I developed disordered eating habits, constantly chasing a version of myself that would never feel worthy. Until one day—I’d had enough.
I discovered strength training. Real food. Rest. And the radical idea that your body isn’t something to fix—it’s something to honor. That shift changed everything. Fitness became my foundation. It healed me, empowered me, and gave me back my voice.
When the pandemic hit and the world stood still, I felt a fire to lead. With no more auditions or fashion shows, I turned my focus fully to helping others. I became certified in personal training, pre/postnatal coaching, and pain-free performance. I launched Viva Fit Life to guide others through their own transformations—not just physical, but emotional and mental too.
Now I coach clients across the world, run transformative challenges, design guilt-free dessert recipes, and lead with unapologetic energy. My greatest joy is helping people realize that fitness isn’t punishment—it’s a celebration. It’s not about what you lose, but what you gain: strength, confidence, clarity, peace.
That’s what Viva Fit Life is all about—learning to live fully, feel deeply, and become the strongest version of yourself.
And the truth is… I feel like I’m just getting started!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Definitely not. But I’ve learned that the hardest roads are often the ones that shape you the most.
It wasn’t easy being away from my family since I was 18. I didn’t have a close support circle, and I didn’t really feel like I had anyone to talk to about what I was going through—especially when it came to body image and the pressure I felt to look a certain way. At the same time, I was studying Business and Fashion Retail Management, working jobs on the side just to sustain myself. There were moments where I felt completely overwhelmed—like I was building a life with no real safety net.
I moved from state to state—New York, Texas, Georgia—trying to find my place. I kept thinking, “Maybe the next stop is where I’ll finally feel grounded.” But nothing quite clicked until I arrived in Miami. I instantly connected with the energy here. Still, even then, I hit a point where I almost gave up and moved back to Spain.
Then the pandemic hit—and ironically, it stopped me from leaving. But that pause turned into purpose. It gave me the space to reinvent myself. I stopped chasing, started healing, and finally had the clarity to build something meaningful. Viva Fit Life was born from that moment.
I’ll always be grateful for the obstacles that at first looked like setbacks. I truly believe all those “bad” things—those inconvenient, messy, emotional moments—carry a bigger purpose. They’re part of the foundation for something better in the long run.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been real. And every rough patch has made me stronger, more grounded, and more aligned with who I’m meant to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Viva Fit Life is my coaching brand—but honestly, it’s more of a movement. It’s rooted in strength, identity, and real transformation that actually sticks. Right now, I coach full-time at Equinox, train private clients, and run my online coaching business, which is where my heart is expanding fast. I realized early on that there are only so many hours in a day—and I want to help way more people than that. Online coaching is how I scale that impact.
I specialize in strength training, body recomposition, functional movement—and building custom programs around injuries and limitations. I’ve worked with clients dealing with everything from postnatal recovery to knee pain and spinal issues. My philosophy is simple: I train people to be multi-directional—capable of handling any physical or health challenge life throws at them. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about freedom, performance, and sustainability.
Viva Fit Life stands out for how personal and empowering the journey feels. I bring unapologetic energy, real structure, and a lifestyle-driven approach that clients can actually stick to—and celebrate.
What I’m most proud of? It’s the way this work transforms lives beyond the gym. Like when a parent posts a video doing the same activity as their kid. Or when my tennis and golf clients walk in bragging about how strong they felt in their last game. When my 71-year-old client finished HYROX, or when a mom tells me she is finally feeling her self in the mirror.
That’s what Viva Fit Life is all about—living strong and loving it.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to reach me is honestly the easiest—DM me on Instagram @Vivalasony ! I love connecting with people directly, answering questions, and getting to know who I’m working with. Whether you’re interested in 1:1 coaching, joining a challenge, or collaborating on something exciting, my DMs are always open.
And if you want to support my mission? Share my content. Forward my workouts, repost my informative videos, tag your friends. It helps more than you know. That simple action helps me reach more people and embrace what Viva Fit Life is really about: celebrating a strong, empowered lifestyle—one that feels good and lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vivafitlife.com
- Instagram: @vivalasony
